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Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

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Reflection for 31 December, 2018

December 31, 2018 by James

Readings: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18

As we round out the Christmas Octave, we’re returned to the Gospel of the Christmas Day Mass. One reaction could be, “Here we go again.” And, in fact, life often feels like that. Again and again in confession, for example, penitents talk as if nothing ever changes.

In actual fact, it’s not like that at all. The confessor–if he’s attentive–will note the gradual progress, the incremental changes subverting old habits. I honestly believe that it is the demonic strategy that we should lose sight of this progress and just grow discouraged from our vulnerabilities.

We certainly revisit the same territory but it can be more like an eagle’s spiraling flight; we are actually collecting–and recollecting–our agenda and taking it to a higher register. My toxic vulnerabilities may never change but, in fact, I can be bearing them with more grace and balance, spilling their toxins neither on myself nor on you.

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace…

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Phone: (540) 955-4383

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